3D Printer Buyers Guide

How do you choose the right 3D Printer for your Home, Office or classroom? This buying guide will help narrow down the chooses.

How do you choose the right printer for you?
We have found that ultimately printer choose comes down to the following questions:

Build Size Multi Color/Dissolvable Support ABS/Heated Bed Budget

1. BUILD SIZE REQUIRED

Is their a particular product you need to print that sets a minimum build area for you?
Remembering with both ABS and PLA you can print your model in parts and glue the parts together. If gluing is not feasible in your product; or you have to print larger items, then build size requirements may quickly help make up your mind. Also many school/classroom settings find larger build areas mean many students work can print simultaneously, allowing for quicker turnover times.

Replicator Z18

Professional, Large volume
Build: 305 x 305 x 457mm
Resolution: 100 micron

 @ $11,850.00
GST Inc. FREIGHT FREE

More Info

Guider

Large Steel Framed PLA
Build: 250 x 250 x 200mm
Resolution: 100 microns

 @ $1,799.00
GST Inc. FREIGHT FREE

More Info

Replicator 5th Gen

11% bigger than Replicator 2
Build: 285 x 199 x 150mm
Resolution: 100 micron

 @ $5,100.00
GST Inc. FREIGHT FREE

More Info

UP Box

New Big print area!
Build: 255 x 205 x 205mm
Resolution: 100 micron

 @ $2,985.00
GST Inc. FREIGHT FREE

More Info

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2. TWIN/DUAL vs SINGLE EXTRUDERS

There are only 2 reasons you NEED two extruders.

1. Because you need to print one model in two colours : Examples include some of our medical clientele who are identifying cancerous tissue for example. Or professional customers needing to print logos, or other identifiers in a different colour from the main model.
   
2. Because you need to have dissolvable support material. The prime example for this is industrial architecture models, where the support material is very difficult to assess post printing, and dissolving support is essential. In most cases you will not need this.
   

If you need two extruders please look at :

Da Vinci 2.0A

Cheapest Dual Extruder 3D Printer!
(for 2 color, cartridge based)
Build: 150 x 200 x 200mm
Resolution: 100 micron

 @ $999.00
GST Inc. FREIGHT FREE

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Dreamer

Cost Effective Twin Extruder (for 2 color or dissolvable support)
Build: 230 x 150 x 140mm
Resolution: 50 microns

 @ $1,485.00
GST Inc. FREIGHT FREE

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Replicator 2x

For Experimenting
Build: 265 x 152 x 155mm
Resolution: 100 micron

 @ $4,385.00
GST Inc. FREIGHT FREE

More Info

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3. PLA vs ABS

There are a lot of myths on the internet about PLA. The fact is that PLA is stronger than ABS and keeps it shape better under stress. It is also much easier to print with. This being said if you are printing models under the following categories you will have to use ABS:
1. Your model will be submerged in water (and not coated in paint etc)
2. Your model has to flex
3. You are testing an ABS prototype for behaviour, pre a final product to be made in ABS
If one or more of these are the case, then you need a heated bed and your only options are :
Twin extruder machines above are both able to print ABS

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4. BUDGET

For those of you looking for a cheap starter machine look no further than these machines. Each perfect for Hobbyists, Small business owners testing the technology and schools looking to get the most machines within the constrains of an education department budget.

Da Vinci 1.0A

Our Cheapest 3D Printer!
( Cartridge Based )
Build: 200 x 200 x 200mm
Resolution: 100 micron

 @ $889.00
GST Inc. FREIGHT FREE

More Info

UP Mini

Budget 3D Printer!
( Removable Platform )
Build: 120 x 120 x 120mm
Resolution: 200 micron

 @ $899.00
GST Inc. FREIGHT FREE

More Info

Replicator Mini

Entry Level Makerbot
( Wifi + WebCam )
Build: 100 x 100 x 125mm
Resolution: 200 micron

 @ $2,350.00
GST Inc. FREIGHT FREE

More Info

Finder

Big on Features. Small on Price ( Touchscreen + WiFi )
Build: 140 x 140 x 140mm
Resolution: 100 microns

 @ $899.00
GST Inc. FREIGHT FREE

More Info

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About our 3D Printers When a 3D printer joins our range you can rest assured, knowing it is of high quality, will do what we say it will, and will be backed by a Bilby Guarantee and Warranty.

Each 3D printer must meet a strict set of guidelines before we will sell it. These include :

• Usability : Can the target user actually use this machine and related software easily? Some 3D printers and software can almost need a specialised degree to use it! These do not meet our standards. Our 3D printers need to all be easily adopted within the Home, Classroom, University lab, or Workplace. We look at who the machine is targeted at and assess the "expertise" and technical understanding required proportionally.
  
  
• Longevity : This relates not only to the machine but also the manufacturer. Are we going to be able to support this machine into the future? Unfortunately ours is a young industry and there are many fly-by-night and back yard operators. We want to support new comers, but we also need to know when something goes wrong the parts and support will be there for our machines for the long term.
  
  
• Reliability : In years gone by it was normal practice to have to repair and tinker with our 3D Printers before every print. This is, thankfully, not where the industry is today. There are still very cheap machines on the market that do still fall into this category. Our 3D Printers are selected and tested for their reliability and durability. We know you just want to turn them on and have them work time and time again!
  
  
• Integrity and Legality : Not all manufactures play by the same rules. Makerbot knows this all too well with a number of clone/copy machines of their earlier models out there. We only sell machines who own their technology, and do not rely on the theft of others intellectual property.

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